Kin
What’s it about?
An ex-con (Jack Reynor) and his adopted young brother (Myles Truitt) find themselves fleeing a vengeful crime boss (James Franco), the cops, and two strange unearthly figures in this sci-fi, crime drama, road trip, action movie mashup.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s super engaging but this flick left me feeling like there were two different movies duking it out for screen time. Unfortunately the sci-fi part, which was ultimately the more interesting part, took a back seat to family drama. Bring on a TV series where they could explore both sides of the coin in a more thorough manner. A kick-ass final act left me immediately Googling if there’s going to be a sequel because shit, you can’t just leave it there. I need more!
The Merger
What’s it about?
Bodgy Creek’s footy club has no players, no coach, and (unless they merge with a just-as-shitty club) no future … could prodigal son, former AFL rising star and “town killer” Troy Carrington find redemption by saving the Roosters with a motley crew of refugees?
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: it’s been a long time between drinks for heart-warming Australian comedies, but The Merger is here to shout a round (beer or cordial), rouse a cheer, and yes, coax a tear. There’s romance without being gushy, there’s a morality tale without being preachy, there’s a bratty kid who’s actually pretty damn cool (Raffety Grierson is a revelation), and there’s lots of down-to-earth swearing to remind you of this country’s heart. Shit yeah.
Based on Damian Callinan’s stage play (which is now on my must-see list), The Merger is destined to join other Aussie favourites like The Castle, Red Dog andThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in shining a light on who we are as a people through topical and controversial issues that actually date back over 200 years.
#GoRoosters
Mile 22
What’s it about?
Mark Wahlberg and other angry friends try and transport a guy 22 miles while avoiding death by terrorists.
What did we think?
Nick says: Mile 22 offers nothing but epileptic action, an insanely poor editing job and poorly written, asshole characters. It gets a star because Iko Uwais is solid and at least it’s around 90 minutes long.
The Happytime Murders
What’s it about?
To clear his name of the brutal (yet strangely hilarious) Happytime murders, disgraced ex-cop turned private dick Phil Philips must overcome the bad blood between him and his old LAPD partner. But Phil’s a puppet living in a human world, and we all know puppets are only good for singing and dancing. Not being racist, just telling it like it is.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: believe it or not, there is a story thread running throughout this flick that comments on the racial tensions in Western society, but you can easily ignore that and take Happytime Murders for what it is: a blend of every b-grade buddy cop movie with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Meet the Feebles.
It’s puerile, clichéd and predictable – in a good way. You know what to expect, it’s done well, and the jokes are more hit than miss.
I hope it moooooooves you in the same way it mooooooved me.
Crazy Rich Asians
What’s it about?
Rachel agrees to accompany her longtime boyfriend to his best mate’s wedding in Singapore, which will involve her meeting the family. Then she finds out he’s one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. He’s also rich… like, crazy rich… and she’s pushed into the spotlight.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I love the fact that this isn’t an “Asian” movie per se: it transcends race. It’s a blockbuster romantic comedy that just happens to have an all-Asian cast. Because of the wealth of the characters, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the heart. Thoroughly enjoyable modern take on the Cinderella trope that proves diversity on screen doesn’t just work, it kicks ass.
Also, this movie made me feel really really poor, and really really single. Just saying.
The Darkest Minds
What’s it about?
In a dystopian fu … sigh. Come on everyone, say it with me: Evoking epic themes, the chosen one flees persecution, seeking a hate- (and adult) free utopia, overcoming perils with heartbreaking sacrifice.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: It’s perfect for tweens born too late for <select your preferred coming-of-age analogy – Hunger Games / Maze Runner / Twilight / Harry Potter / Buffy / Star Wars / Logan’s Run / Tomorrow People / Lord of the Flies / Watership Down / I’m sorry if I missed your favourite>.
Don’t get me wrong, kids WILL love it because it IS their version of the teenager heroes journey.
It just a shame this seen-it-before, plot-hole-ridden, quest-for-a-new-cash-cow is aiming to fill the gap for gen-whatever-are-we-up-to-now as it frustratingly fails to reach its potential and feels like a pilot for a Netflix series of Legion Jnr.
Special, one-off tiered rating system:
30 and over: ★☆ (you’ve seen it before done so much better)
18 – 30: ★★☆ (your tastes are still developing – it’s not that bad)
Under 18: ★★★☆ (go on, you’ll love it)